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 The concept is deliciously simple. Now there is a way to serve great meals without spending a lot of time or money. There's no grocery shopping, prep work or mess in your kitchen - and you save hours of food shopping and preparation time. The new addition to convenience foods is "food assembly" or "meal assembly" stores.
There are several franchises as well as individually owned stores in our area. For those in Chester County, you can check out Dream Dinners in the Goshen Village Shopping Center in West Chester. According to owners, Faith Weaver and Cindy Simpson, "we are excited about this business because it helps bring the family back to the dinner table. We can provide everything our customers need to assemble delicious dinners for their family. They just freeze them and serve in the weeks ahead."
In Montgomery County, you can visit Supper Thyme and The Food Experience, both in the Collegeville area.
Judith Watts, owner of Supper Thyme in Trappe is a busy mom herself, "so this business is great for me," she says. "I like helping busy moms or dads to reduce the stress associated with preparing tasty and healthy meals. It's also a great service for the
elderly or those who just do not have the desire or ability to prepare meals. Plus, the food is delicious."
As a non-franchise store, The Food Experience, owner Kiersten Hafer, says, "Our kitchen and our philosophy is all about fresh ingredients - never precooked or pre-done meats, poultry or fish. Our chefs make all of the sauces and marinades onsite using only the freshest ingredients. Our customers get family-approved meals that deliver superior taste, quality, convenience and a new way to make dinner easy and interesting."
The prices do vary depending on the store and menu offered, but on average they tend to be in the $3.00-4.50 range per serving. It's certainly cheaper than ordering out and perhaps even less expensive than shopping and preparing the food yourself. If time is short, this is a great new option for putting real meals on your family's table. In a few hours you can assemble up to 12 meals to take home. And, by assembling your own meals, you can tailor the taste to suit your family by omitting an ingredient or adding a little more of another. Dinners usually serve four to six people. For an additional fee, some stores offer already assembled meals that you can pick up.
For some added fun, the stores also offer private parties for groups so you can get together with friends or neighbors to assemble the meals. Daytime or evening group sessions are usually available. Some sessions offer hors d'oeuvres and wine to enjoy while preparing the meals. That is meal prep at its best!
Resources:
Dream Dinners
1514 Paoli Pike, West Chester
610-344-321
www.dreamdinners.com
Supper Thyme
130 W. Main Street, St 122, Trappe
610-409-2903
www.supperthymeusa.com
The Food Experience
305 Second Ave. (next to Sears Hardware)
Collegeville, PA
610-409-0573
www.thefoodexperience.net |
